I spent the weekend listening to an online workshop by David duChemin on Vision Driven Photography. One word…AWESOME…INSPIRATIONAL…MOTIVATIONAL…WISE…INSTRUCTIONAL…Okay, more than one word, but one word at a time. It was such a worthwhile experience that I bought the video downloads of all three days so I can watch and rewatch and absorb some more. If you want a class on f/stops and shutter speeds and all of the technical stuff that goes into creating a photo, then this isn’t the workshop for you. If you want a class on how to express your vision, this is the one. Why am I saying “is” instead of “was”? Because you can buy the videos – click on Vision Driven Photography - it’ll take you there. I am an affiliate on his CraftAndVision.com site for the purchase of his ebooks – I am NOT an affiliate for creativeLIVE and the purchase of the videos, I just think it would be worth the investment.
I learned so much this weekend. One thing I learned, and I already knew this so it really was just reinforced, is that we need to ask ourselves when we create a photograph, “what am I trying to say?” So what am I trying to say with this photo? How could I have said it better? Is there something in the frame that should have been left out, that isn’t a part of the story? Is there something I left out that would have made the story clearer had I included it? How can I see this differently?
One thing David talked about was “sketchbook photos” – the photos you take on the way to getting the shot you want. This is probably a sketchbook photo for me. There are some things in the background that are a little too distracting for me. I needed to adjust my POV, my point of view, to get the whole bumper in the frame. What I was trying to express was the face within this pickup, with the headlights as the eyes, the grill as the nose, and the bumper as a smiling mouth, but I kind of cut off the mouth a bit and that is just unacceptable. Maybe shot from the other side so the license plate isn’t so prominent. One of these days I’ll go out and try it again and see how I can see this differently.
I love that look you get there, it does yell out “sketch book” to me. The colors that came out are nice and vintage-y =)
Brian Chen´s last blog …Larah
great shot! i did see the face right away but i know what you mean about maybe trying the other side and cropping out the background. i seldom re-work my photos after they’re taken so i’m thinking this video series is for me. thank you for writing about it. maybe that’s what my coin jar can be spent on…i’m off to count it.
Love this shot…I bet the owner of this car has lots of fond memories to behold.
p.s. Always a pleasure being in your company Toni. no rules, ever. love ya.
It’s always inspirational to spend time with someone at the top of their game, and in photography we are always the student, always learning even when we simply study another frame and decide what works for us and not, what makes us want to go out and dabble with a new technique or style.
It’s great to read your obvious enthusiasm after such an opportunity and I love the shot for so many reasons.
Toni, your enthusiasm for the workshop really shines through in your post. I’ll have to check it out. Perhaps this image isn’t working for exactly what you were seeking, but it is a very nice image nonetheless, I like it. Hey, isn’t that Johnson’s property?
Indeed it is, Bob!!
This reminds me of summer when I was younger. I think the colors lend themselves to the vintage feel. Gorgeous
A fine shot even if does not quite achieve what you’d like to express. I think it works very well as a document of the old truck and license plate. I enjoyed reading your description of the class and how it impacted your thinking.
don´s last blog …The Trail
very classic! i like this kind of vintage look. great colors too.
Liang´s last blog …Henry O
Well..if this is the ‘sketchbook’ image..I can’t wait to see the ‘finished piece’. Immediately – I see the face..smiling at me. And – I love the colors!!! David’s workshop was terrific..he managed to articulate so clearly so many of the things I’ve often thought myself. Inspiring!!!
Marcie´s last blog …Orphan Annie
I like.
I tend to take a lot of “sketchbook” images, I just call them blurry and unfocused.
Ken´s last blog …Twice the Sax
One of the great joys in life is being inspired.. it lifts the spirit and brings fresh sight to our brain.
Scarlet´s last blog …Pose That Nose
It looks like a face. I like the colors and the rusty details.
BoB´s last blog …Loggia del Romanino
It may not be what you intended but the colors are awesome!
Candace´s last blog …Way Cool